It’s normal to lose up to 100 hairs a day. Hair follicles go through cycles – hair growth (around a centimetre a month to their approximate maximum, depending on whether they’re on the scalp or body), hair shedding, then resting before starting again.
Fortunately, they’re all at different stages, but occasionally many hairs fall out over a short period (telogen effluvium).
You’ll notice scary amounts on brushes and during hair-washing, and scalp hair may look thinner. This can occur a few weeks after childbirth, during stressful periods, or after a physical shock, such as major illness, surgery, weight loss (including weight-loss surgery), trauma, chemotherapy or medication changes.
After a few months (which can seem like forever, as there’s no treatment), the follicles recover, and hair growth restarts.
Your hormones
Male-pattern…
